By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
The administration of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has granted full autonomy of the 23 Local Government Areas in the state, with adequate plans also outlined to open up the rural areas to enable rural economies to thrive.
Governor Alia gave his administration’s commitment to ensuring full local government’s autonomy on Monday, at the Royal Choice Inn, Makurdi, while declaring open a Two-Day workshop put together by the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in conjunction with Timarage Nigeria Limited, for chairmen and members of the local government interim Executives in the state.
The governor pointed out that his administration has equally mapped out strategic projects and programmes for execution and implementation in all the Local Government Areas, saying by the time the projects and programmes are completed, the chequered history of the rural areas in the state will be completely reversed.
“I am happy to State that my administration has given its full blessings to the autonomy of our Local Governments. Funds due to the Local Governments will be promptly. We are therefore, committed to the growth and development of the system and have outlined adequate plans to open up the rural areas to enable rural economies to thrive.
Already, I have mapped out strategic projects and programmes which we are due to start execution and implementation in all the Local Government Areas. It is hoped that by the time we complete these projects and programmes, the chequered history of our rural areas will be completely reversed. The economies of our rural areas will witness tremendous growth and this will positively impact on the people,” the governor assured.
While stressing the pivotal role the local government system plays in the development process of the Nation, the governor appealed to all Local Government committees to intensify efforts towards increasing their internally generated revenue, so as to boost their capacity to provide for the welfare of their people.
“You are to remain closer to the people and to also uphold accountability, integrity and transparency in work, these are central areas to my administration. Embrace synergy and team work to enable a collective achievement to our set goals”, the governor urged.
Earlier in his address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Dennis Akura, said the essence of the workshop is to build the knowledge of the Chairmen and Members of the Local Government Interim Executive Committees, equipping them with a better understanding of their roles for effective service delivery at the Third Tier of Government.
He urged the participants to take full advantage of the workshop so that in the end, they will be able to support the efforts of the governor at the grassroots level.
The Two Day Workshop with the theme “Responsive Local Government Leadership for Effective Local Government Administration in Benue State,” has been put together for Caretaker Chairmen, their Deputies, Director General Services and Administration (DGSAs) as well as the Local Government Supervisors.
